Patents by Inventor Masaki Shimomura

Masaki Shimomura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220097382
    Abstract: A printer includes a line head and a wiper unit. The line head is provided to be movable between a recording position and a retreat position and performs recording on a medium by ejecting ink from an ejection surface at the recording position. The wiper unit is provided to be movable, in the Y direction, between a maintenance position at which a maintenance operation is able to be performed and a non-maintenance position away from the maintenance position. A permitting section is formed in the wiper unit. The permitting section permits a portion of the line head to move in a direction intersecting the Y direction in a state in which the wiper unit is at the non-maintenance position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Masaki SHIMOMURA, Seiya SATO
  • Patent number: 11287762
    Abstract: Downtime relating to formation and detection of a detection image is reduced. An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a first conversion unit to convert a gradation of input image data so that density output for the input image data becomes a first density output characteristic based on a first detection result of the detection image detected by a density sensor in a first mode. The controller generates a second conversion unit to convert the gradation of the input image data so that the density output for the input image data becomes a second density output characteristic in a second mode based on the detection result in the first mode and correction information, and further updates the correction information based on a second detection result of the detection image detected by the density sensor in the second mode and the first detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Shimomura, Yoshiki Kudo, Hiroshi Kita, Kazuhiro Funatani, Keita Sato
  • Patent number: 11279154
    Abstract: A frame unit includes a first member formed with a cutout portion, and a second member to be fixed to the first member. A first receiving portion and a second receiving portion are formed in the cutout portion, the second member includes a first facing portion facing the first receiving portion, a second facing portion facing the second receiving portion, and a protruding portion protruding toward the first plate portion. When the second member is attached to the first member, the protruding portion enters the cutout portion so that the first facing portion faces the first receiving portion and the second facing portion faces the second receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20220035296
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion, a fixing portion configured to heat the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming portion and fix the toner image to the sheet, a folding portion configured to fold the sheet having passed through the fixing portion such that a surface of the sheet to which the powder adhesive is applied is inside, and a bonding portion configured to heat the sheet folded by the folding portion and bond the sheet by the powder adhesive. A relationship of Tmax1>Tmax2 is satisfied, where Tmax1 (° C.) is a highest temperature of the powder adhesive when being heated by the fixing portion and Tmax2 (° C.) is a highest temperature of the powder adhesive when being heated by the bonding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yuki Nishizawa, Shigeto Tamura, Takaaki Tsuruya, Tsutomu Shimano, Kohei Matsuda, Tetsuya Sano, Kenji Takagi, Tomoaki Nakai, Masaki Shimomura
  • Patent number: 11237510
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, configured to operate in first and second modes of which color gamut is different from each other, includes an exposure unit configured to expose a photosensitive drum; a developing roller configured to form a toner image; a detection unit configured to detect density of the toner image transferred to an intermediate transfer member; and a controller configured to adjust the density based on a value of input image data. A dithering process for the controller's controlling of the exposure unit is different depending on whether the operation is in the first mode or the second mode, and in at least a part of the input image data, the density of the toner image formed by the dithering process in the first mode is higher than the density of the toner image formed by the dithering process in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kudo, Akihiko Uchiyama, Hiroshi Kita, Masaki Shimomura, Takahiro Nakase
  • Publication number: 20220004145
    Abstract: A controller is configured to execute a larger gamut technology mode in which the controller performs image formation by controlling a ratio of a rotation speed of a development roller to a rotation speed of a photosensitive drum such that the ratio becomes a second speed ratio higher than a first speed ratio in a normal mode. The controller is configured to, when the controller executes the larger gamut technology mode, control transfer voltage based on a humidity around an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakai, Shizuma Nishimura, Masaki Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20210382415
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, a transfer rotating body, a feeding means and a control means that controls a feeding speed of a recording material in a feeding portion at the feeding means. Wherein a first timing is a timing during when a rear end of the recording material with respect to a feeding direction passes through a transferring portion and a second timing is a timing when the rear end of the recording material is separated from the image bearing member after passing through the transferring portion, the control means can control the feeding means for one recording material so that a feeding speed of the recording material at the second timing in the feeding portion becomes faster than that of at the first timing in the feeding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Jun Asami, Masaki Shimomura
  • Patent number: 11156958
    Abstract: A controller is configured to execute a larger gamut technology mode in which the controller performs image formation by controlling a ratio of a rotation speed of a development roller to a rotation speed of a photosensitive drum such that the ratio becomes a second speed ratio higher than a first speed ratio in a normal mode. The controller is configured to, when the controller executes the larger gamut technology mode, control transfer voltage based on a humidity around an image forming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakai, Shizuma Nishimura, Masaki Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20210278791
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a recording material based on first image data; a controller configured to control an image forming operation by the image forming unit; an acquisition unit configured to acquire property information related to a property of the recording material; a setting unit configured to set a control value to be used in the image forming operation; a reader configured to read an image formed on the recording material by the image forming unit, and to output second image data; and a comparison unit configured to compare the first image data to the second image data, wherein the setting unit is further configured to set the control value based on a comparison result from the comparison unit and the property information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Mahito Yoshioka, Masaki Shimomura, Kenta Inaba, Kuniaki Kasuga
  • Publication number: 20210263443
    Abstract: Downtime relating to formation and detection of a detection image is reduced. An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a first conversion unit to convert a gradation of input image data so that density output for the input image data becomes a first density output characteristic based on a first detection result of the detection image detected by a density sensor in a first mode. The controller generates a second conversion unit to convert the gradation of the input image data so that the density output for the input image data becomes a second density output characteristic in a second mode based on the detection result in the first mode and correction information, and further updates the correction information based on a second detection result of the detection image detected by the density sensor in the second mode and the first detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Masaki Shimomura, Yoshiki Kudo, Hiroshi Kita, Kazuhiro Funatani, Keita Sato
  • Publication number: 20210237452
    Abstract: A printer includes a transport unit configuring a transport route and transporting a medium in a transport direction, a line head having an ejecting surface that faces in a +B direction and is provided with a nozzle for ejecting ink to the medium to be transported in the transport direction, a first maintenance unit capable of covering the ejecting surface, and a cap movement portion moving the first maintenance unit between a cap position where a cap surface of the first maintenance unit covers the ejecting surface and a standby position where the cap surface does not cover the ejecting surface, in which the cap moving portion supports the first maintenance unit with the cap surface facing in an inclined direction between an X direction and a +Z direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Masaki SHIMOMURA, Takeshi AOKI, Yusaku AMANO, Takuto TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20210237447
    Abstract: A printer includes a line head, a transport unit, a head moving unit, a maintenance unit, a lid unit, and a rotation mechanism portion. The head moving unit moves the line head to a retreat position and a recording position along a B direction. The maintenance unit includes a cap portion configured to cover the nozzles, is formed with an opening, and is movable in a transport direction of a medium. A lid unit is rotatable about a rotation axis, and closes the opening in a closed posture. When the head moving unit moves the line head from the recording position to the retreat position, the rotation mechanism portion rotates the lid unit so that a posture of the lid unit becomes the closed posture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Masaki SHIMOMURA, Takuto TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20210237448
    Abstract: The printer includes a transport unit having a support surface for supporting a medium, a line head recording on the medium by ejecting ink from a nozzle provided on an ejecting surface thereof, a head moving portion for moving the line head along a moving direction with respect to the transport unit, and a first maintenance unit movably provided in a first direction for covering the ejecting surface. The moving direction intersects a horizontal plane at an angle of 45 degrees or less, the first direction intersects the horizontal plane at an angle of 45 degrees or more and less than 90 degrees, and a movement amount of the first maintenance unit in the first direction is equal to or larger than a movement amount of the line head in the moving direction when the printer is installed on a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Takuto TANAKA, Takeshi AOKI, Masaki SHIMOMURA, Yusaku AMANO
  • Patent number: 11072189
    Abstract: The medium discharging apparatus includes a medium receiving portion that includes a first portion and a second portion that is provided on the first portion and that is configured to be displaced between a retracted position and an advanced position, a moving member configured to move between a first position and a second position, in which the moving member pushes and moves the second portion towards the advanced position as the moving member moves from the first position towards the second position and in which the moving member is moved to the first position as the second portion is displaced to the retracted position, a pushing member that pushes the moving member towards the second position, and a restricting member configured to switch between a restricting state that restricts a movement of the moving member towards the second position, and a non-restricting state that releases the restricting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Miyamoto, Masaki Shimomura, Akira Nakazawa, Toshihiro Imae
  • Publication number: 20210096494
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus, configured to operate in first and second modes of which color gamut is different from each other, includes an exposure unit configured to expose a photosensitive drum; a developing roller configured to form a toner image; a detection unit configured to detect density of the toner image transferred to an intermediate transfer member; and a controller configured to adjust the density based on a value of input image data. A dithering process for the controller's controlling of the exposure unit is different depending on whether the operation is in the first mode or the second mode, and in at least a part of the input image data, the density of the toner image formed by the dithering process in the first mode is higher than the density of the toner image formed by the dithering process in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kudo, Akihiko Uchiyama, Hiroshi Kita, Masaki Shimomura, Takahiro Nakase
  • Patent number: 10962899
    Abstract: Downtime relating to formation and detection of a detection image is reduced. An image forming apparatus includes a controller configured to calculate a first conversion unit to convert a gradation of input image data so that density output for the input image data becomes a first density output characteristic based on a first detection result of the detection image detected by a density sensor in a first mode. The controller generates a second conversion unit to convert the gradation of the input image data so that the density output for the input image data becomes a second density output characteristic in a second mode based on the detection result in the first mode and correction information, and further updates the correction information based on a second detection result of the detection image detected by the density sensor in the second mode and the first detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Shimomura, Yoshiki Kudo, Hiroshi Kita, Kazuhiro Funatani, Keita Sato
  • Publication number: 20210063937
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive drum to form a toner image; a belt onto which the toner image is transferred; a detection unit configured to detect a density of an image for detection formed on the belt; and a controller configured to perform hue adjustment based on a detection result of the detection unit. The image forming apparatus performs image formation in a second mode using a color gamut different from a color gamut in a first mode, and the controller obtains a lookup table, which indicates a correlation between image data to be used and input image data in the second mode, based on the detection result in the first mode and a correlation of density between the first mode and the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Yoshiki Kudo, Masaki Shimomura, Akihiko Uchiyama
  • Patent number: 10933671
    Abstract: A locking mechanism in a printing apparatus includes a slide member inside an outer casing at a position corresponding to an opening in an outer casing of the printing apparatus, the slide member being configured to be moved in a slide direction to switch a state of an access cover between a locked state and an unlocked state, and a restriction portion configured to be moved in the slide direction together with the slide member, in which when the slide member is in a lock position, the restriction portion protrudes from the opening and the movement in the slide direction is regulated, when the slide member is in an unlock position, the restriction portion is retracted inside the opening and the movement in the slide direction is permitted, and the restriction portion includes an operation portion configured to move the slide member between the lock position and the unlock position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Shimomura
  • Publication number: 20210039407
    Abstract: A frame unit includes a first member formed with a cutout portion, and a second member to be fixed to the first member. A first receiving portion and a second receiving portion are formed in the cutout portion, the second member includes a first facing portion facing the first receiving portion, a second facing portion facing the second receiving portion, and a protruding portion protruding toward the first plate portion. When the second member is attached to the first member, the protruding portion enters the cutout portion so that the first facing portion faces the first receiving portion and the second facing portion faces the second receiving portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventor: Masaki SHIMOMURA
  • Patent number: 10906322
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a container on which a liquid container is removably mounted, the container having an engaging portion, the liquid container containing a liquid and having a grip portion that is gripped by a user; an attachment portion into which the container is inserted in an attachment direction from an attachment port and to which the container is attached; and a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid container mounted at the container. The attachment portion has an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion of the container in a process of pulling out the container from the attachment portion. The container causes the grip portion to be located on an outer side with respect to the attachment port when the container is in an engaged state in which the engaging portion engages with the engaged portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Nanami Sakai, Masato Haga, Masaki Shimomura